L 20 - National Symbols of India

L 20 - National Symbols of India

by Shinu Mathew

​LEARNING OBJECTIVES

To be aware about the National Symbols of our country.

To explain the role of National symbols in the life of the nation.

To understand the respect given to the Tricolor National Flag and it’s importance.

​To understand the importance of National Emblem

​To understand the importance of National Anthem

​To know and understand the importance of other national symbols

THE NATIONAL SYMBOLS

• ​Represent the unity and integrity of the

• country.

• Represent the values, goals and the history of

• the country.

• Unite the people of a country.

• Are the pride of a country.

​NATIONAL FLAG

​•Symbol of a free country.

•The National Flag of India was adopted in its present form during the meeting of Constituent Assembly held on the 22 July 1947, a few days before India's independence from the British on 15 August, 1947.

•The National Flag, a tricolour, Tiranga, is rectangular in shape.

•It has three horizontal bands of Saffron, White and Green in colour.

• ​It was designed by Sri Pingali Venkayya.

​NATIONAL FLAG

​Saffron colour stands for courage and sacrifice.

White colour stands for truth and peace.

​In the centre of the white band is a wheel in navy blue colour. It represents the Ashoka Chakra. It has 24 spokes. Each spoke represents each hour of the day. This chakra stands for progress.

Green colour stands for prosperity.

​Rules with regard to Tricolour

​•National Flag can be flown only from sunrise to sunset.

•It must be unfurled only at the top of a mast.

•The saffron band should always be on the top.

•The flag must be carried in front in a procession.

•It must always be carried over the right shoulder.

•We should never hoist a dirty or a torn flag.

•We must stand in attention and salute when the flag is hoisted.

•The flag should not touch the ground or floor or trail in water.

•The flag must not be used for decoration or used as a portion of a costume/uniform.

Only special Indian dignitaries can have the flag atop their cars.

​NATIONAL EMBLEM

• The seal of the Government of India

• Can be seen on government documents, coins, currency notes, letters and envelopes.

• Taken from the Lion Capital of Sarnath near Varanasi erected during the reign of Emperor Ashoka.​

​NATIONAL EMBLEM

• Has four lions facing four directions symbolising as the guardians of the four directions but only three lions can be seen at a time. They stand for courage and power.

  The lions rest on a circular abacus having four animals – horse, bull, lion and an elephant. However, we can see only the horse and the bull.

• The horse symbolizes energy and speed.

• The bull represents the hardwork.

• A wheel is seen between the horse and the bull.

• The words Satyameva Jayate which means ‘truth only triumphs’ are inscribed below the wheel.​

​NATIONAL ANTHEM

• ​Indian National Anthem is sung to praise and glorify our motherland.

• ​Written by famous poet Rabindranath Tagore

• ​We show respect by singing it correctly and by standing in attention position while it is sung.

​National Animal

• ​National Animal of India - Royal Bengal Tiger.

• ​Symbolizes India's wealth of wildlife.

• ​Represents grace, strength and power.

• ​National parks and sanctuaries established to protect it from extinction

​National Bird

• ​National Bird of India - Peacock.

• ​Blue-green colour bird having long blue neck, a fan-shaped crest and a long tail of feathers.

• ​Regarded holy in many states of India.

• ​Stands for beauty, grace and happiness

​NATIONAL FLOWER

• ​National Flower of India - the Lotus.

• ​Offered to dieties during festivals.

• Grows in muddy shallow ponds and lakes.

• ​Stands for truth, knowledge and wealth.

• ​Widely used in Indian art and architecture

​OTHER NATIONAL SYMBOLS

​LEARNING OUTCOMES

• ​Identified different National Symbols of India.

• ​Understood the importance of the National Symbols.

• ​Understood the reasons to pay respect to the national symbols

Multiple Choice

The bull on the National Emblem symbolizes _______

• prosperity

• hard work

• truth

• courage

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is not a rule to be followed for National Flag?

• National Flag can be flown after sunset.

• Tricolour must be carried on the right shoulder

• Stand in attention when the flag is hoisted

• It should not be hoisted in tattered or torn condition